NBA Greatest Duels: Allen Iverson vs LeBron James (2009) FULL Highlights

The Detroit Pistons are starting to show their potential with Allen Iverson, beating two of the NBA's best teams in less than a week.
Iverson scored 23 points and Rasheed Wallace had 10 of his 21 points during a fourth-quarter surge that gave Detroit a 96-89 victory over Cleveland on Wednesday night that ended the Cavaliers' eight-game winning streak.
Detroit handed the Los Angeles Lakers their only defeat, beating them by double digits Friday night on the road.
"It's early, but it's exciting," Iverson said.
Wallace wouldn't go that far.
"It's not like we set out and said, 'Oh, these are the NBA's hottest teams.' We're just trying to make ourselves better," said Wallace, who had a season-high 15 rebounds. "We really don't care about what the other teams are doing at that moment.
"We just want to make ourselves better for June," he said.
If the Pistons can keep playing tough defense against stars, as they did against LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, they'll improve their chances in the playoffs.
James was 8-of-21 and missed all four of his 3-point attempts but made enough free throws to finish with 25 points to fall just five below his league-leading average.
"That happens in this league," he said. "You have good games and bad games."
Bryant missed 18-of-30 shots last week against the Pistons.
The Cavs are a half-game ahead of the Pistons in the Central Division.
Detroit lost its first two games after acquiring Iverson from Denver on Nov. 3 but has won four of its last five.
"It's way too early to know anything about them," James said.
It looked as if the Cavs were going to beat the Pistons the first time they saw them with Iverson, going on a 21-6 run to take the lead in the first quarter and taking 13-point leads in both the second and third.
But Wallace gave the Pistons the lead for good midway through the fourth with a pair of 3-pointers in a 36-second span and made another long jumper to give them a 95-82 lead with 2½ minutes left.
"Sheed hit those long 3s and AI did a great job of getting to the hole," James said. "They really turned it up in the second half, and it caught us off guard."
His coach agreed.
"They played a great second half and we didn't respond," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "It was like a bunch of their players got together at halftime and said, 'Let's bear down and take this game away from the Cavaliers,' and that's just what they did. They brought us to a complete standstill.
"That's the first time I've seen us that discombobulated all year," Brown said.
Detroit's Richard Hamilton scored 15 points, and reserve Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince each added nine points. Cleveland's Mo Williams scored 25 points, Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 13 points and Delonte West added 11.
Game notes
The Cavs put Wally Szczerbiak on the inactive list, excusing him to address a personal matter, and activated Darnell Jackson. Brown said he didn't know when Szczerbiak will return. ... The Central Division rivals don't meet again until Feb. 1 at The Palace. ... Ilgauskas made the seventh 3-pointer of his career and attempted two from beyond the arc in one game for the first time in his 11-season career. "I've hit two already this season, so I went for another one," he said. "I'll probably never take two in the same game again." ... Kid Rock sat in the front row at The Palace, which had numerous patches of empty seats in the upper level in another sign of the Motor City's economic woes. ... Former Piston Ben Wallace said he was surprised Chauncey Billups was dealt to Denver. "I guess that's the end of the era now," he said. "It isn't the same team now."

[@musterreephik]

bruh cant believe 2009 feels like 30 years agi here

[@prince_sach50]

fr

[@chesso5508]

Time sped up in 2001

[@HardCold-Alquan]

It's the poor video quality!

[@cansergenvaran2948]

HALF WAY THERE BUDDY

[@SourMlkSea]

Dare I say, Allen Iverson is the best NBA player of all-time, to not of won a championship.. No fault of his own. Detroit had lousy coaching. All the pieces were there for the championship. Iverson is a once on a lifetime talent and you're never going to see another A.I. players like James come and go. They are generational talents. Extremely talented players like James. But A.I..come on you have got to admit that. My Sixers screwed it up too. We gave him next to zero as far as players in supporting roles. The mutumbo pickup was crucial but other then that.. Larry H, Eric snow, geiger...against Kobe and shaq with an amazing supporting cast of players. A.I had NO HELP.

[@nathanielsession8018]

Mann??? If AI would have had sheed back in Philadelphia when AI played with them and another good helper in scoring I believe AI could’ve won a chip but without the chip he still one of the Goats yep the dude was on another level than other players ….. he is one of my Top favorite players of all time AI was a Great Player with style ,Swag and could really get Relentless at any point of the game….. dude he could do it all and 2 handed dunk with ease …. All eyes was on Him bcuz he was giving the best of him (setting the place on Fire🔥) do not try to stop him bcuz u just can’t…..AI was amazing to watch every time …like both (Man/Machine) coming at u wide the F open …stop me if u can

[@waynesmallwood2466]

I totally agree with your narrative about Allen Iverson

[@renzopeterson153]

His defense was lazy though, for his size, you'd think he'd have averaged more steals.

[@FloridaFlintStones]

@nfloridaoutdoors

[@M.L.official]

lol with guys like Barkley/Malone/Stockton etc. that isn't a iron clad take.

[@kennethshorter88]

The put back tho, even tho it didn't count it was still nice to see

[@DrNurse-gb3of]

Lebron physicsl structure u expect dominance. But A.I. that size is truly the unique specimen.

[@tyronequinntcell]

👍

[@leroybrown505]

He reads the floor like a chess game. night and day difference. Lebumm is the best recruiter in the league.

[@SourMlkSea]

@Yeahyeahboy I completely agree. A.I is my favorite sixer of all-time and the size.. And what he accomplished.. Once in a lifetime talent.

[@HighTimes42071]

Lebron James is average I've seen better stop bragging about him Allen Iverson is tiny bit would still run circles around him

[@joelporteza7639]

AI Curry Mugsy and Spud Webb defies the saying that height is might in basketball

[@mtvcribz9317]

2020 anyone??

[@gn02368401]

2023 still here AI forever

[@iluvshawty]

2024?😏

[@shinakuma9]

5:39 omfg! A double handed dunk by Iverson like it was nothing!

[@DrNurse-gb3of]

i want to know how A.I. that small was so dominant n did not get the respect. He is least physical player n yet so dominant. To me he is rare. Legend

[@perlaguzman9743]

Dr. Nurse ene vea. Domildiesicietecuri.ilebro

[@livingthelife8443]

Dr. Nurse cause he was at you every play the best way he knew how

[@tadjmekhi8615]

He was a diva

[@kungfudingdong]

Dr. Nurse he was physical for his size its just he was short compared to other nba players

[@jd3076]

One thing i also notice is that iverson had a long wingspan which was a huge help

[@TheIverson1990]

Imagine if iverson was on this team in 2005

[@sosama600]

TheIverson1990 he would have a championship or more

[@Hot33333333]

Idk billups was the better fit. A.I is a gunner, billups got everybody involved and this is coming from a die hard A.I fan

[@MrC77]

Iverson is a better player, but Billups was a much better fit.

[@coreyrowe2598]

@@MrC77 yea the Billups trade effectively closed the Pistons championship window as the short lived AI era in Detroit proved to be a total disaster.

[@anthonywomack2260]

@@coreyrowe2598 sad but true

[@shaunwallace3055]

AI n Sheed on the same team. Refs 2 nightmares

[@DekemaStokes]

Hilarious bro lol so right

[@youknodavibes2903]

Its crazy to say but i hated the iverson that started passing the ball more i wanted him to be the same dominant scorer but he tried a new route tryna make his teammates better

[@electrichardon5752]

Kush Vizions it was working 2...ai was turning into an 19ppg 8assists. Instead of his normal game.....that style of play started in denver but he was still scoring in bunches there 26 a game.....at this point he was in his 13th year and lost a step....not much tho he was still the fastest in the game.....but detroit did him dirty and started having him come off the bench....that messed with his head...its a shame because he could of played probably another 3 or 4 years at a high level just as a point guard not a shooting guard...he could of had 16 8 4 2......thanks detroit and memphis for messin him up...

[@TheIslandstyle11]

Bcos basketball is all about teamwork not a one man game, otherwise it'll be called GOLF.

[@gangstagummybear3432]

@@TheIslandstyle11 well alot of players need to and need that applied to them

[@timian210]

Because it was Detroit's dynamic. 03-04 Detroit are legendary. The ran through superstars with shear teamwork. A.I knew he no longer needed to be the only guy.

[@iluvshawty]

2024 anyone?

[@xavierstamp8786]

AI, Sheed, Rip, tayshaun should of been the big 4. Bring in a defensive big and that team could of been dangerous in the east for 3 years. I think this was a learning lesson for all organizations. Don’t throwaway a championship looking team for “potential”. The offense looks so dangerous when it’s clicking

[@waynesmallwood2466]

Pound for pound Allen Iverson is the greatest all around player ever to have laced up a pair of sneakers in the NBA when you think about it he's never missed a shot lay up or dunk he plays the game like King Kong yet he's one of God's Mighty black angels🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@HardCold-Alquan]

People do forget, that in James first stint in Cleveland, he was indeed like Jordan - practically the only option.

[@jimguirro4173]

what a nice cavaliers line up there 😅

[@jamesfernandez3627]

AI > CP3 AI has th speed advantage. This is not even the best AI.

[@HeLLzRoLLinG]

Did Kwame make the free throws 😂

[@chanho8766]

Though I saw great handle from Kyrie, Trae Young and other players these years, AI amazed me every time when I see the videos. People can do all the moves, maybe faster than AI, but NO one can move smoothly like that. When he cross and pass by a defender, I go "Why? That's so simple! The defender could had stopped AI if he has moved one more little step!" It's far from truely tell my feeling watching AI's move, just so different and amazing.

[@BernardoSmithElcangri]

Que estrella de la nba Alan iverson .. Porque se retiro tan joven

[@antoinemantoux6049]

Lmao Pistons fans out here celebrating like it was an nba finals win

[@RaymerQello]

Ja, el uniforme de Detroit Pistons parece el de la selección Dominicana de baloncesto.

[@luissuarezvasquez7437]

Iverson era tan rapido que incluso sus compañeros tenian problemas de seguirlo, la disputa con lebron salta a la vista iverson con un compañero tipo onell hubiera ganado 6 anillos sin lugar a dudas. Iverson es el DIos del baloncesto. El mejor de todos

[@JESUSMARTINEZ-gs2ck]

Por fin alguien sabe de Basket. Estoy contigo Iverson el Dios del Basket. No tuvo ninguna estrella a su lado que le Ayudara. Como Jordán o Kobe o Lebrón todos jugaron montaos con estrellas a su lado. PR en la Casa. Iverson el mejor de todos los tiempos

[@joelporteza7639]

Imagine if AI was 6'7"🤔

[@yungslic5363]

In hindsight this game was so fucked up because nobody knew at the time but this was nearly the end for Iverson's career he went to Memphis that summer (only lasted 3 games) then another 20 games with Philly then it was all downhill

[@KwamesGreatestFan]

Nice steal 5:14 huh?))

[@maoanz]

Even LeBron seems so slow when defending AI.

[@johnpestano9692]

As a Pistons fan I was pumped when we got AI. I really thought we would win the chip. Michael Curry was a ass coach. We should have won a title the pieces was here.

[@darylegranderson3332]

Sadly with the Talent of Detroit it still wasn't in the Cards...and A.I Knew it probably made em More Frustrated.🥃🕶THE GREATEST 2 NEVER WIN A 🏆..Once in a lifetime Player str8 from My Commonwealth.People say if he'd Trained more/Practice Media Friendly more polished more..more more more...He Tried and At The End of The Day The Hall Of FAME ..had 2 Open it's Greatest Doors for Absolutely 1 of The Greatest 2 Grace The NBA Hardwood...✌🏾Peace Yall

[@rup4jo33]

no.1

[@DKelly_Iverson414]

rup4jo33 , 🗣"YESSSSSSS!!! 🙆 🗣(MY 'LIL' COUSIN)!!" ☝ 😄

[@thegoldenchild7527]

Allen iverson some more championships

[@najeenixon1834]

Not a true duel because they couldn't guard each other 1-on-1.

[@cribgod4644]

✌☮ to the God's and the one nation13 crew 🌐

[@reallythinkaboutit369]

#3 fpr Detroit should of gave that number to Iverson he not doing nothing to remember him

[@Simon_Sez]

Amir Johnson @ 11:00

[@iRaQi313OG]

Lmao

[@Simon_Sez]

@@iRaQi313OG and Kwame too I just realized 💀

[@iRaQi313OG]

Kwame a beast !

[@abelvega9072]

2023

[@nobody4955]

Wasgud👊

[@anthonyclay5666]

Why no one talks about this killer game right here I have no idea I am waiting for someone to do a podcast on this game this shows how LeBron James was not very good against

[@ccnnyyllmmzz]

This Pistons team would be better than. I wish Allen Iverson had Played with prime wallacex2

[@newbiegamingwithncjr5743]

Could ai play with lebron?

[@jdubb6662]

Nelson Cabico Jr yea Lebron smart enough to let A.i. be A.i. it would be better than Wade and Kyrie

[@Maal7432]

Yes. If Kyrie could, A.I. damn sure could.

[@aronlee7889]

Yeah

[@newbiegamingwithncjr5743]

Too bad we will never see lebron play with ai. They could had won a championship together.

[@starrbwoy571]

I remember Diz game

[@trebledc]

AI could have offered more in the game, but made so much bad decision in life.

[@myrondavis1416]

Said no one ever

[@Alexis_Gz]

Better than lebron

[@fxprocc]

Kwame Brown the prototype lebron that jordan hand picked who's marijuana habits and lack of respect for the game, just killed every team he ever played for. he was just taking up space in a bad way.

[@johnpestano9692]

Aaron Afflalo had potential to be a great Piston we should have kept him.

[@kingpsye2023]

Could this possibly be a reason for his trophy in Philadelphia 🤔🤔🤔🦘 🚢